Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats is set to miss the early stages of the NRL season with a shoulder injury, suffered in the Titans’ final trial in New Zealand.

With back-up rake Pat Politoni breaking his arm in Sunday’s 26-6 loss to the Warriors, Tyrone Roberts looms as Peats’s makeshift replacement.

“We’d have to say he’ll be out for a little bit of time,” coach Neil Henry said on Tuesday.

“Whether or not it’s a major injury or it’s just a minor one, time will tell.”

Peats lasted 10 minutes in Palmerston North and was one of a handful casualties along with Politoni, Ryan Simpkins (ribs), Josh Olive (pectoral strain), Tyler Cornish and Morgan Boyle (both concussion).

“He felt his shoulder move,” Henry said.

“He had pins and needles and was quite sore and obviously couldn’t stay on the field.”

Jarryd Hayne, Kevin Proctor, Dan Sarginson and Konrad Hurrell all missed the trial with knee injuries but are expected to be fit for round one when the Titans take on Sydney Roosters on the Gold Coast.